Random Picture Challenge

I have NO clue how my friend Courtney finds the time to be so "up-to-date" with her blog AND follow a million other blogs...but I do enjoy reading hers and saw that she posted a fun little picture challenge. (of course, one she found from someone else's blog)



So the rule is to go back to photos from November 2007 and post the 44th picture in the album...well, here it is:



And I remember the day perfectly (which is wild b/c my mind is mostly mush these days!) - it was a beautiful late fall day...as you can see, the leaves were all piled up in our yard and the kids were having a blast jumping in the big piles as Matt & I were attempting to "bag" them. What a disaster for us but the kids were so excited...little Reagan was 18 months in this picture! My little sweetheart...

A BIG Shout-Out to all my DABAgirls!

If you have had the chance to read the NY Times this week (not!!) or just have a wonderful hubby who forwards you note-worthy articles from time to time via email (now that's me!), you will have discovered the BEST blog that is out there in "Blogger-Land". The Times had a great article about this blog called http://www.thedabagirls.com/ and let me tell you, it is WORTH YOUR TIME to check it out! It will have you on the floor laughing & crying...well, maybe not on the floor but you will definitely have a good chuckle if you have had your eyes open for the last year & a half and know how tough it is out there. Even if your hubby's job is not affected by the economy (who's isn't????), you will enjoy this humorous blog! These girls are witty...and boy do I love their sense of humor!



At this point in our lives (and yes, for most of my blog readers minus my sister and sister-in-law's friends - the DABAgirls would consider us OLD - gasp!), we are more like MABAgirls...Married A Banker Anonymous. ha!



Here is a little "tease" from the DABAgirls blog:

Are you or someone you love dating a banker? If so, we are here to support you through these difficult times. Dating A Banker Anonymous (DABA) is a safe place where women can come together – free from the scrutiny of feminists– and share their tearful tales of how the mortgage meltdown has affected their relationships. DABA Girls was started by two best friends whose relationships tanked with the economy. Not knowing what else to do, we did what frustrated but articulate girls have done since the beginning of time - we started a blog. So if your monthly Bergdorf’s allowance has been halved and bottle service has all but disappeared from your life, lighten your heart with laughter and email your stories to dabagirls@gmail.com. Warning all stories sent will be infused with our own special brand of DABA Girl humor.



So in honor of this horrible economy, I thought I would post a picture of my "Banker" and I in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Our last vacation taken almost a year ago...I like to keep those memories fresh in my mind b/c the odds of taking another vacation anytime soon are ZILCH. Which I have to add, my over-stressed, over-worked, totally-exhausted "Banker" needs a vaca SOOOOOO bad!



Cheers to those mojitos, warm sun and soft sand between your toes! (yep, in our dreams!!!) And if you are feeling any of the DABAgirls pain, leave me a comment! :) Just to let me know I'm not alone...

Phew...11 Days in Indiana - what did we do, you might ask?

Well, to answer that question...you might need a second! Drumroll please...here goes:

*Flew into a brand new Indy airport (Jack greeting my Mom=priceless)
*Caught the stomach bug (ME!!!)
*Played with Grammy & Gramps ALOT
*Had Taco Night with Aunt Sara, Uncle David, Grammy & Gramps (thanks for the fun sombreros Uncle David)
*Spent quality time with 2 friends from St. Louis (thank you Kristen & Mary for driving to see us!!!!!!)
*Went skating on Morse Lake with Nana & Papa
*Spent some quality time with GG, Gpa, Aunt Susan, Aunt Kim, Grandpa Waldner, Kate, the Gapen Family, etc.
*ate dinner at The Claddaugh and had Lins as our waitress (listening to Jack say "Lindsay just said Hi to me!!!!")
*Aunt Sara & Uncle David treating Reagan to Build-A-Bear and Jack to Ride-Makers for a belated Christmas present! Woohoo!
*Bounce Planet with Lisa, Claire & Ryan (Jack's favorite place or so he says)
*Fun times at Recreation Unlimited with Grammy & Aunt Sara
*Manicures & Pedicures with my Mom (ME!!!!! Loved it!)
*My generous Dad treating us to an adult dinner while the kids had fun at Nana & Papas
*Playdate with Meg & the kids
*Bounce Zone with all my HC gals and their kiddos
*a yummy dinner with Aunt Jill
*playdate with Nicole, Becky, Jamie & kids!
*basketball game at Butler
*basketball game at NHS (go Millers!)
and to top off the trip, a fun party to celebrate my Mom's retirement!

Phew...we are tired! The kids are still recovering...but we had an amazing time and can't wait for our next trip! Until then, we look forward to all our visits from family! :)

Here is the snapfish album from our trip:
http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=12281233193892199/l=464272239/g=44695723/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB


Here is a link to my Mom's pictures from Kodak Gallery:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=e2ipc35.6qbtkas9&x=0&y=-jsn83s&localeid=en_US&cm_mmc=site_email-_-site_share-_-core-_-view_photos_button

Now THIS is why I love him...

We just got home from 11 days in Indiana (look for post soon) and had a blast. But for those of you who travel alot with kids, there is just something about being home in our own beds, not living out of suitcases, etc. After a delayed flight, sick child (Jack) and very chatty car ride home from the airport (thanks Reagan!), I just wanted to get home and put my slippers & sweats on!!!! To my surprise, I walked into the house and did a double-take. My amazing husband cleaned his "butt" off while we were gone - the house from top to bottom was so clean! (and he did a much better job than I am doing these days - will certainly take note of that) I am still amazed at how clean everything is...and since I can delete "clean house" from my to do list today, I am off to take a nap! ha! jk! I wish!!!!!

Along with cleaning the entire house; he also washed my car inside & out, organized the garage, painted over some beautiful artwork (by the kids) on our walls, freshened up some trim work with paint AND folded laundry!!!!

Thank you, Matt!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

p.s. The picture I posted of him is a little old (last March in San Juan) but I think it shows his "relaxed" side. I absolutely love his smile in the pic!!

I spoke too soon...

A few days after I blogged about my group fitness certification, I got an email notification that I have to "perfect" some of my technique from my video. I have 4 weeks to do that and then re-send a new video into Les Mills. Oh my goodness, it was so stressful the first time around...PLEASE keep your fingers crossed that I master my technique the 2nd time around! ha!

I'm officially hooked...

Many of you who read this blog (and I'm so glad you do!!!) already know that since early Fall I've been in the process of becoming certified as a Les Mills group fitness instructor. Even though "officially " I have not heard yet if my video has been accepted...I have been teaching at my club since the end of October. A lucky few (my sister in law & mother in law) have taken my class along with some of my friends to get a taste of what I've been working so hard at these past few months. I have found my "calling" and LOVE teaching group fitness classes! I am hoping to get certified to teach Body Step this year and maybe Body Pump. Check out the Les Mills website to see exactly what I am up to2 hours each week...

Next time you find yourself in Boston - come take my class & see why I am hooked on this incredible workout!

BODYATTACK™ is a life-changing workout for people who want to get fit, stay fit and get fitter...so with that being said, why wouldn't I LOVE what I do?????

www.lesmills.com

I Remember When...part 2

A little over a month ago, I posted a blog message titled "I remember when..."

Well, I thought I would do it again...as I am sitting at my Mom & Dad's computer, I found some really great photos to share with you all!

So here goes...I REMEMBER WHEN...

My sister called me to say that David asked her to marry him!

My wedding day

Jack & Reagan's first day of school - Fall 2008

Jack's very first fish he caught in Morse Lake